Rare Pattern Coins Set To Go On Sale

By Henri Sault, FOR THE INQUIRER

Posted: March 05, 1999

Acomplete set of 1879 and 1880 gold Stellas (pattern coins) will be a highlight of the sale Tuesday at Le Parker Meridien, 118 W. 57th St., New York. The showy, rare coins were part of the estate of Ben Corson.

The coins were struck in an effort to make U.S. gold freely acceptable in trade around the world. The $4 denomination was established to reflect the six grams of gold and small amounts of silver and copper in the coin. After minting a few examples, the Mint found Congress unwilling to authorize the coins.

In this sale, two different designs for 1879 and 1880 are offered. Only 10 of the 1879 and 1880 coiled-hair design were struck; 15 of the 1879 flowing-hair design and 425 of the 1879 flowing-hair design were struck. The coins' reverse showed a five-pointed star, the word Stella, and letters and numbers designating the weight of the metals.

The sale, by Stack's, also includes U.S. coinage of all eras, territorial gold, colonial coinage and silver dollars. Queries go to 212-582-2580.

Riga coins. The last in the eight-coin series celebrating the 800th anniversary of the city of Riga have been struck. The series, which began last year, is dated 1998. The two 10-latu coins have been struck in silver proof by the British Royal Mint for the Latvian government.

The series offered coins depicting different eras; the final two reflect the 20th century. One carries the arms of the city on the obverse and the Freedom Monument, erected in 1935, on the reverse. The second shows singers in the national song festival on the reverse, and, on the obverse, a 15th-century coat of arms. Each coin will sell for $54.95. Queries go to the British Royal Mint, Cheyenne, Wyo. 82008-0031.

Internships offered. Two internships, giving 10 weeks of intensive training, will be offered by the American Numismatic Association. The ANA will provide room, board, $200 a week, and round-trip travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. Interns, ages 18 to 25, will attend the summer seminars and help instructors do archival work and research. Deadline is April 15. Queries go to the ANA Education Department, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80903.